[Break the glass]

Hello. I am a newbie. Really enjoying the site. I hope I am doing the right thing starting a new thread.

I am starting out with a dry tank and rocks. I would like to raise my rocks 1 1/2 - 2" above the bottom of the aquarium so that they sit more levels with my substrate. Achieving this with media bags and aquarium gravel, as has been mentioned in a post here before (Suggestions on Raising Rocks), seems like the easiest and best solution. My question is—would there be any advantage in raising the rocks in a way that takes up less space, so that that space could then be filled in with regular substrate, as a place where plants could have more room to take root? Since I am incorporating alot of rock at the ground level I am concerned about this. I have an idea for making silicone "pucks" to rest the rocks on that would allow for space under the rocks, but it doesn't sound very easy or foolproof. Alternatively, something more readymade to use as risers would be good, if anyone has any suggestions. Could plants use bagged gravel as rooting material? Below is a picture of my idea for rock placement (chalk lines indicate sides and top of 65 gallon tank.) I envision planting tall plants in the back and some shorter ones on the sides and in middle, and having about 2" of substrate except in the front and center, where it will be lower and mostly sand. Thanks for any advice.

 

[minorhero]

People make structures out of eggcrate (lighting diffuser) zip ties together and rest rocks on that.

That said, my preference is to use rocks or piles of substrate to raise other rocks. If you use natural materials you won't need to spend a lot of time trying to cover them up so people won't see them (if that makes sense).

 

[Break the glass]

People make structures out of eggcrate (lighting diffuser) zip ties together and rest rocks on that.

That said, my preference is to use rocks or piles of substrate to raise other rocks. If you use natural materials you won't need to spend a lot of time trying to cover them up so people won't see them (if that makes sense).

I ran across that! And actually bought some. I was surprised at how fragile it seemed. I like what you are saying about not having to cover something up. I would just put my large rocks on top of substrate but I have had numerous people tell me that is asking for problems because the rocks will shift. That is why I am thinking I need to add something more substantial but am concerned about leaving enough room for plants to root. Do aquatic plants need much room to root?
Thanks for your help!

 

[minorhero]

I ran across that! And actually bought some. I was surprised at how fragile it seemed. I like what you are saying about not having to cover something up. I would just put my large rocks on top of substrate but I have had numerous people tell me that is asking for problems because the rocks will shift. That is why I am thinking I need to add something more substantial but am concerned about leaving enough room for plants to root. Do aquatic plants need much room to root?
Thanks for your help!

Generally speaking, plants are not going to do much rooting underneath a rock. They will root at about the same width as their leaves grow. At any rate, you can build little structures out of rocks going as high as you want and are able to build stably. Then add your sand as deep as you want it. This is what I have been doing for years and it works fine. There's no reason you can't add a flat-ish piece of rock underneath your current structures.

 

[Le duke]

Look up “HDPE permeable pavers” on Amazon, eBay, whatever.

They are plastic pavers used to make water permeable driveways that hold fine gravel in place. Cars can drive on them.

Here’s an example. There are dozens and dozens of different designs, sizes, etc.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[mourip]

That said, my preference is to use rocks or piles of substrate to raise other rocks. If you use natural materials you won't need to spend a lot of time trying to cover them up so people won't see them (if that makes sense).

Good point...

OP. I would just find a couple more flat wide rocks to build on. If you are worried about movement just use the "superglue and cotton-ball or cigarette-filter" trick to bind them together.

Here is an example of stabilizing rocks with that technique.

 

[klibs]

+1 to light diffusers or something like those paver things

 

[Break the glass]

minorhero - I think I hear you about placing larger rocks at the bottom - that I can plant over those rocks. This is a good point I hadn't thought of. Le duke, klibs - those pavers are amazing! Perfect height! HDPE seems like a particularly good plastic to use as well. mourip - very cool video! I had seen a few others by this person/group. Really neat. It makes me feel much better about using crazy glue but I am not sure how people stand the fumes.

Thanks much for all this advice. It is super cool to be on the forum.

 

[puopg]

+1 to the pavers, so far they are working for me!

 

[Break the glass]

+1 to the pavers, so far they are working for me!

Cool. Thanks. Is there any concern for waste/mulm getting trapped there?

 

[Le duke]

Cool. Thanks. Is there any concern for waste/mulm getting trapped there?

If you fill them with substrate, I would imagine they are no more likely to be waste-pits than substrate without pavers.

 

[mourip]

mourip - very cool video! I had seen a few others by this person/group. Really neat. It makes me feel much better about using crazy glue but I am not sure how people stand the fumes.

I use Gorilla Super Glue Gel to secure Buce and other plants to rocks and it has no fumes or odor.

 

[puopg]

Cool. Thanks. Is there any concern for waste/mulm getting trapped there?

Unless you plan on gravel vaccumming ur aquasoil, its no different than just having substrate there. The pavers just increase the structural integrity of the substrate, and that helps minimize erosion.

 

[Break the glass]

Nice. Thanks to everyone for their replies. I am just beginning so not sure about vacuuming or not?? Alot of different approaches I'm reading about. All very interesting and a big help.

 

[Fake_Buce777]

Look up “HDPE permeable pavers” on Amazon, eBay, whatever.

They are plastic pavers used to make water permeable driveways that hold fine gravel in place. Cars can drive on them.

Here’s an example. There are dozens and dozens of different designs, sizes, etc.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You can get a few plastic crates on FB marketplace and cut them up; much cheper option, but You need a saw.

 

[mrOrange]

Do note that if you use any of the grid type products, you may have a very difficult time removing any plants that send out deep roots without ripping or cutting them off. The more dense grids (light diffuser, 'eggcrate') are worse for this since there are so many more points for the roots to grow into and around.